Article tensioning apparatus



June 4, 1963 J. c. HOUDA, JR 3,091,960

ARTICLE TENSIONING APPARATUS Filed May 4, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 4,1963 J. c. HOUDA, JR

ARTICLE TENSIONING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1961 INVENTORJ. 6'. //0 JR.

3,091,960 ARTICLE TENSIONING APPARATUS James C. Honda, Jr., DownersGrove, 111., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 4, 1961, Ser. No.107,852 Claims. (Cl. 73-95) This invention relates to an articletensioning apparatus and more specifically to an apparatus forautomatically gripping opposite ends of an article, applying tension tothe article, removing the tension from the article, and then releasingthe article. It is an object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus of this nature.

In the manufacturing of electrical components having leads extendingfrom the body portion thereof, such as resistors or capacitors, theleads must be securely connected to the body portion. It is sometimesrequired that such electrical components be tested by pulling the leadsto determine whether they are properly anchored to the body portions ofthe components. The present invention is well suited to the performanceof a lead pulling test on such electrical components.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair ofgripping devices are provided for releasably gripping opposite ends ofan article, whose leads are to have tension applied thereto. Thesegripping devices are mounted in facing relationship on a conveyingmember so that they are moved along generally parallel paths, and one ofthe gripping devices is mounted for movement toward and away from theother gripping device. Control elements are mounted in part atindependent stationary positions along the path of movement of theconveying member for moving the gripping devices to their grippingpositions, for urging the gripping devices away from each other to applytension to an article gripped therebetween, for removing the tensionfrom the article, and for moving the gripping devices to their releasedpositions.

Another object of this invention resides in an improved apparatus forautomatically gripping opposite ends of a sequence of articles at spacedpoints and momentarily applying tension thereto.

A further object of this invention resides in an improved apparatushaving various of the characteristics prescribed above while beinginherently reliable and efficient in operation, of rugged construction,and economical to manufacture and operate.

This invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, willbecome apparent by reference to the following detailed descriptionthereof and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferredembodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, front elevational, partially broken away viewof the preferred embodiment of an article tensioning apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a reduced, fragmentary, right-side, partially broken away viewof the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a reduced, fragmentary, left-side, partially broken away viewof the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1,an electrical component 11, which is to be subjected to a lead pullingtest, has its leads gripped by a pair of releasable gripping devices 12and 13, which are mounted for rotation on a carrier comprising a pair ofrotatable support discs 1d and 15. The gripping devices are mountedaxially opposite each other so that the electrical component may begripped therebetween. The support discs are secured to a shaft 16 forrotation there with, and the shaft is supported and driven by suitableconventional bearings and drive mechanisms.

Patented June 4, 1953 During one rotation of the support discs 14 and15, an electrical component 11 is first gripped between the grippeddevices, then one of the gripping devices 13 is urged away from theother gripping device "12 to apply tension to the leads of thecomponent, subsequently the tensioning force is removed from theelectrical component and finally the gripping devices 12 and 13 areoperated to release the electrical component.

The first support disc 14 (see FIG. 2) has a plurality of grippingdevices 12 attached thereto, each having a jaw portion extendingradially beyond the outer edge of the support discs 14 for releasablygripping one lead of an electrical component. Each gripping member 12includes a stationary arm 17 and an L-shaped arm 18 which is pivotableabout a pivot pin 19 so that the jaw portion of the pivotable arm may bepivoted into engagement with the jaw portion of the stationary arm. Aspring member 29 is connected between a pin 21, secured to the supportdiscs 14, and a shaft 22 of a cam follower roller 23, secured to theinner end of the pivotable arm 18. This spring member exerts a pivotalforce against the pivotable arm and thereby urges the cam followerroller 23 against a cam surface 2 of a stationary cam disc 25. The camfollower roller 23 is thereby caused to ride along this cam surface 24of the cam disc 25 as the support disc 14- is rotated.

The cam surface 24 is recessed between positions designated B and E inFIG. 2, so that, when the cam follower roller 23 is moved intoengagement with this portion of the cam disc surface 24, pivotalmovement is imparted to the pivotable arm 18 which causes the grippingdevice 12 to move to its gripping position. When the cam follower roller23 moves to another portion of the cam surface 24, pivotal movement isimparted to the pivotable arm 18 which causes the gripping device 12 tomove to its released position.

The second support disc 15 (see FlG. 3) has a plurality of supportblocks 28 mounted on its outer surface. Each support block 28 is mountedon the second support disc 15 by a pair of pins 29, which extend througha pair of axially extending bores 30 in the second support disc 15 andextend into a pair of axially extending bores 31 in the first supportdisc 14. The support blocks 28 are axially movable away from the supportdisc 15 as well as the support disc 14-, and each support block has agripping device 13 attached thereto for releasably gripping a lead of anelectrical component, in a jaw portion extending radially beyond theouter edge of the support disc 15.

The gripping devices 13 are substantially identical to the previouslydescribed gripping devices 12. Each device 13 includes a stationary arm33 and an L-shaped pivotable arm 34 which is pivotable about a pivot pin35 so that the jaw portion of the pivotable arm may be pivoted intoengagement with the jaw portion of the stationary arm. A spring member36 is connected be tween a pin 37, secured to the support block 28, anda shaft 38 of a cam follower roller 39, secured to the inner end of thepivotable arm 34. This spring member exerts a pivotal force against thepivotable arm and thereby urges the cam follower roller 39 against a camsurface 40 of a stationary cam disc 41. The cam follower roller 39 isthereby caused to ride along this cam A 3 to another portion of the camsurface 4d, pivotal movement is imparted to the pivotable arm 34 whichcauses the gripping device '13 to move to its released position.

The support blocks 28 are so positioned on the sec ond support disc 15that the gripping devices 13 are axially opposite corresponding ones ofthe gripping devices lZ. Thus an electrical component may be grippedtherebetween and an axial tensioning force may be applied thereto.

Each support block 28 has a roller member 4-5 (FIG. 1) mounted on itsouter surface, and the roller member 45 is adapted to ride along thesurface of a stationary cam track disc 46 mounted adjacent the outersurface of the support disc 15. The cam track disc 46 causes the supportblock 28 to be retained in engagement with the second support disc 15and prevents the support block from moving axially away from the supportdiscs lid and 15, during a predetermined portion of the rotationalmovement of the support discs. A recessed portion 47 is formed in thesurface of the cam tracir disc 46 along the path of movement of theroller member 45 and, when the roller member 45 is axially opposite therecessed portion 47, the support block 28 and the gripping devices 13are free to move as a unit axially away from the support discs 14 andi5.

Coil springs 43 are mounted about the pair of pins 29 of the supportblock 2% and, When the support block is retained in engagement with thesecond support disc by the cooperation between the cam track disc 46 andthe roller member 45, each spring is compressed between the innersurface 49 of the first support disc 14 and a collar 50 mounted on eachpin 29. These springs 48 urge the support block 28 away from the supportdiscs 14 and 15, and thus urge the gripping device 13 away from anaxially opposite gripping device 12, so that tension is applied to anarticle gripped the-rebetween when the roller member 4-5 'of the supportblock 28 is axially opposite the recessed portion 47 of the cam trackdisc as.

The gripping devices 12 and 13 are maintained in their grippingpositions between positions designated B and E along the cam surfaces 24and id of the cam discs 25 and ll in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that an electricalcomponent may be gripped therebetween, and the gripping devices 13 areurged away from axially opposite gripping devices 12 between positionsdesignated C and D along the cam surfaces of the cam discs so thattension may be applied to an electrical component gripped therebetween.At position designated E along the cam surfaces of the cam disc, thegripping devices 12 and 13 are moved to their released positions so thatan electrical component previously gripped therebetween may be removedtherefrom.

In operation, an electrical component 111, such as a capacitor orresistor to have tension applied to its lead connections, has its leadspositioned Within the jaw portions of a pair of the gripping devices 12and 13 when the cam follower rollers 23 and 39 of that pair of grippingdevices are in engagement with the cam surfaces 24 and 40 of the camdiscs 25 and 41 at positions designated A" in FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the support discs 14 and 15 have rotated so that the cam followerrollers 23 and 39 are in engagement with the cam surfaces 24 and 49 atpositions designated B in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cam follower rollers beginmoving along the recessed portions of the cam surfaces and pivotalmovement is imparted to the pivotable arms 1% and 34, which causes thegripping devices 12 and 13 to move to their gripping positions so thatthe electrical component 11 is gripped therebetween.

When the support discs 14 and 15 have rotated so that the grippingdevices 12 and 13, having an article gripped therebetween, are oppositepositions designated C along the cam surfaces 24 and 4%, the rollermember 45 of the support block 28 is axially opposite the recessedportion 47 of the cam track disc 46 and the support block 28 is free tomove axially. The compressed coil springs 43 exert axial forces betweenthe inner surface 49 of the first support disc 14 and the collars 5d ofthe support block pins 2-9, which urge the support block 28 axially awayfrom the support discs 14 and 15. Thus the gripping device 23 is urgedaway from the gripping device 12, whereby a tension force equal to thespring forces is applied to the lead connections of the electricalcomponent 11 gripped bet veen the gripping devices.

When the support discs 14 and 15 have further rotated so that thegripping devices 12 and 13 are opposite positions designated D along thecam surfaces of the cam discs, the roller member 45 of the support block28 again is engaged by the cam track disc 46 to move and retain thesupport block 28 in engagement with the second support disc 15, and thusthe tension force is removed from the lead connections of the electricalcomponent 11.

When the support discs 14 and 15 have still further rotated so that thecam follower rollers 23 and 39 are opposite positions designated E alongthe cam surfaces of the cam discs, the cam follower rollers move out ofthe recessed portions of the cam surfaces and pivotal movement isimparted to the pivotable arms 18 and 34, which causes the grippingdevices 12 and 13 to be moved to their released position. Since theelectrical component is no longer gripped by the gripping devices, itmay be removed therefrom.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and as previously discussed, eachsupport disc has a plurality of gripping devices associated therewithwhich are always opposite different positions along the cam surface ofthe associated cam disc. Thus, this apparatus permits automatic testingof a sequence of electrical components; while one electrical componentis being gripped, another component is having tension applied thereto,and still another component is being released by the apparatus. Duringoperation of this apparatus, electrical components are continuouslybeing moved through this cycle.

The embodiment of the invention described above may now be seen toprovide an improved article tensioning apparatus, which is inherentlyreliable and efficient in operation, is of rugged construction, and iseconomical to manufacture and operate. This article tensioning apparatusreadily lends itself to the automatic testing of the lead connections ofa sequence of electrical components wherein the lead connections arerequired to rneet prescribed strength requirements. Leads extending fromopposite ends of an electrical component are gripped by this apparatusand tension is applied to the lead connections by urging a gripped leadon one end of the electrical component axially away from a gripped leadon the other end of the electrical component. If one of the leadconnections does not meet the prescribed strength requirement, the leadconnection is broken. Subsequently, the tensioning force is removed, theelectrical component is released, and the electrical component isremoved from the apparatus.

Also, it may now be seen that this apparatus is not limited to theperformance of lead pulling tests but lends itself to the performance ofvarious other tests and manufacturing operations. This apparatus may bereadily utilized to perform such operations as removing part of a crimpfrom a Wire or a metal strip and also may be readily utilized to performsuch other tests as applying tension to spring elements or otherarticles to have a tensioning test performed thereon.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of this invention. Numerous otherarrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art whichwill embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spiritand scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An article tensioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced grippingdevices, a carrier for supporting said devices thereon for movementalong a first path and for supporting one of said gripping devices formovement relative thereto toward and away from said other grippingdevice along a second path perpendicular to said first path, means onsaid carrier for urging said gripping devices to closed positions forgripping an article at spaced points, resilient means for urging saidone gripping device along said second path away from the other grippingdevice and from a normal first position on said carrier for applyingtension to the article, a stationary cam arranged to permit axialmovement of said one gripping device under the influence of saidresilient means from the first position during a portion of the movementof said gripping devices along said first path and for returning saidone gripping device to the first position and for maintaining it thereinduring another portion of the movement of the gripping devices alongsaid first path, and stationary cam means mounted in the path ofmovement of said gripping devices for moving said gripping devices toopen position during a portion of the movement of said gripping devicesalong said first path when said one gripping device is in said firstposition.

2. An article tensioning apparatus comprising a carrier mounted forrotation about an axis, a first article gripping device fixedly mountedon said carrier for rotation therewith and against axial movementrelative thereto, a second article gripping device mounted on saidcarrier for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative theretoand in substantial axial alignment with and spaced relation to saidfirst gripping device, resilient first means for stressing said grippingdevices to a closed position to grip an article at spaced points,resilient second means on said carrier for urging said second grippingdevice for axial movement away from said first gripping device and froma normal retracted position to apply tension to the article in saidgripping devices, a stationary cam track for moving said second grippingdevice axially toward said first gripping device to said retractedposition and for maintaining said second gripping device in saidretracted position during a prescribed portion of the rotary movement ofsaid carrier and for permitting axial movement of said second grippingdevice from said retracted position and said first gripping deviceduring a prescribed portion of rotation of said carrier, and stationarycam means mounted in the path of movement of said gripping devices foreifecting the actuation of said gripping devices to open posi tion andfor maintaining them in such open position for a prescribed portion ofthe rotary movement thereof while said second gripping device is in saidretracted position.

3. An apparatus for applying tension to an article which comprises, apair of cyclically operable gripping devices, having gripping positionsand released positions, for gripping opposite ends of an article,conveying means for moving said gripping devices along generallyparallel paths and for supporting said gripping devices in generallyfacing relationship, one of said grip ping devices being mounted formovement toward and away from the other of said gripping devices, firstcontrol means mounted in part on said conveying means and in part at astationary position along the path of movement of said conveying meansfor moving said gripping devices to their gripping positions and formaintaining them in gripping positions during a predetermined portion ofthe movement of said conveying means, second control means mounted inpart on said conveying means and in part at a second stationary positionalong the path of movement of said conveying means for urging saidmovably mounted gripping device away from said other gripping device tostress an article during a part of said predetermined portion of themovement of said conveying means when said gripping devices are in theirgripping positions, and third control means mounted in part on saidconveying means and in part at a third stationary position along thepath of movement of said conveying means for moving said grippingdevices to the released positions and for maintaining them in releasedpositions during a predetermined portion of the movement of saidconveying means.

'4. An apparatus for applying tension to an article which comprises, apair of cyclically operable gripping devices, each having a stationaryarm and a pivotable arm and each having a gripping position and areleased position, for gripping opposite ends of an article, conveyingmeans for moving said gripping devices along generally parallel pathsand for supporting said gripping devices in generally facingrelationship, one of said gripping devices being mounted for movementaway from and toward the other of said gripping devices, cam surfaces onthe non-gripping ends of said pivotable arms, first cam means positionedalong the path of movement of said conveying means and cooperable withsaid cam surfaces of said pivotable arms for maintaining said pivotablearms in gripping positions and in released positions during differentpredetermined portions of the movement of said conveying means, firstresilient means for retaining said cam surfaces of said pivotable armsin engagement with said first cam means, second resilient means mountedbetween said one gripping device and said conveying mean-s for urgingsaid one gripping device away from said other gripping device, a secondcam surface on said one gripping device, and second cam means positionedalong the path of movement of said conveying means and cooperable withsaid second cam surface of said one gripping device for prohibitingmovement of said one gripping device away from said other grippingdevice during a prescribed portion of the movement of said conveyingmeans and for permitting movement of said one gripping device away fromsaid other gripping device to stress an article during a part of theportion of the movement of said conveying means when said grippingdevices are in their gripping positions.

5. An apparatus for applying tension to an article which comprises, apair of rotatable support discs secured to a rotatable support shaft forrotation therewith, each having a plurality of gripping devices mountedthereon, said gripping devices each having a stationary arm and apivotable arm and each having a gripping position and a releasedposition, each gripping device on one of said support discs beingmounted thereon so that it is axially opposite a gripping device on theother one of said support discs whereby the gripping devices move alonggenerally parallel paths and an article may be gripped therebetween,said gripping devices on said one support disc being mounted formovement away from and toward said gripping devices on said othersupport disc, cam surfaces on the non-gripping ends of said pivotablearms, a pair of cam discs stationarily mounted adjacent said supportdiscs and cooperable with said cam surfaces of said pivotable arms formaintaining said pivotable arms in gripping positions and in releasedpositions during different predetermined portions of the movement ofsaid support discs, first resilient means associated with said grippingdevices for retaining said cam surfaces of said pivotable arms inengagement with said cam discs, second resilient means positionedbetween said movably mounted gripping devices and said other supportdisc for urging said movably mounted gripping devices away from saidgripping devices on said other support disc, second cam surfaces on saidmovably mounted gripping devices, and a third cam disc stationarilymounted adjacent said one support disc and cooperable with said secondcam surfaces of said movably mounted gripping devices for independentlyprohibiting movement of each of said movably mounted gripping devicesaway from the axially opposite tone of said other gripping devicesduring a prescribed portion of the movement of said support discs andfor independently ermitting movement of each of said movably mountedgripping devices away from the axially opposite one of said othergripping devices to stress an article during a part of the portion ofthe movement of 2,994,512 said support discs when said gripping devicesare in their gripping positions.

o L, Refmences Cited H1 the file of this patent 5 406,071 UNITED STATESPATENTS 491 483 2,068,725 Wilson Jan. 26, 1937 8 Franke Aug. 1, 1961FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 15, 1924 Italy Mar. 5, 1954

1. AN ARTICLE TENSIONING APPARATUS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SPACED GRIPPINGDEVICES, A CARRIER FOR SUPPORTING SAID DEVICES THEREON FOR MOVEMENTALONG A FIRST PATH AND FOR SUPPORTING ONE OF SAID GRIPPING DEVICES FORMOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID OTHER GRIPPINGDEVICE ALONG A SECOND PATH PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST PATH, MEANS ONSAID CARRIER FOR URGING SAID GRIPPING DEVICES TO CLOSED POSITIONS FORGRIPPING AN ARTICLE AT SPACED POINTS, RESILIENT MEANS FOR URGING SAIDONE GRIPPING DEVICE ALONG SAID SECOND PATH AWAY FROM THE OTHER GRIPPINGDEVICE AND FROM A NORMAL FIRST POSITION ON SAID CARRIER FOR APPLYINGTENSION TO THE ARTICLE, A STATIONARY CAM ARRANGED TO PERMIT AXIALMOVEMENT OF SAID ONE GRIPPING DEVICE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SAIDRESILIENT MEANS FROM THE FIRST POSITION DURING A POR-